One dead, one hospitalised in building collapse at Station Square in Tbilisi

A building collapse at Station Square in Tbilisi has resulted in one death and one injury, according to current reports. Georgia’s Interior Minister Gela Geladze made this announcement after arriving at the scene alongside Tbilisi’s Mayor.

“One person has died, one person has been taken to the hospital,” the Interior Minister stated. Gela Geladze told the media at the scene that the collapse of the residential building in the station square is currently under investigation under Article 240 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to violations of safety regulations during mining, construction, or other related work.

According to Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, the collapsed building was officially condemned, but full consensus among residents regarding participation in the replacement program had not yet been reached.

“Regarding the building, it was condemned and assigned a fifth-category emergency status, which meant it was beyond rehabilitation. The local residents were fully informed of this, and numerous meetings were held at the Didube district administration, with documented records. An offer was extended to involve residents in the replacement program, through which we would facilitate the demolition of the existing structure and construct a new building. However, the successful implementation of this program requires 100 per cent consensus from the community, which, regrettably, has not yet been achieved. Some families who agreed have already been relocated to rental housing, but the majority have refused at this stage. This is the current situation,” Kakha Kaladze explained.

The collapse occurred in a residential building in the area adjacent to Station Square, a busy central district near the Tbilisi Railway Station. Debris clearance and active search and rescue operations are currently underway.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported it has immediately mobilised emergency management rescuers and police forces upon receiving notification of the collapse.

Firefighter-rescuers evacuated citizens from the area surrounding the collapsed building immediately upon arrival. Emergency medical personnel remain at the scene as rescue operations continue.